The “climate change pope” Pope Francis also known as the “pope of the poor” returned to Spanish-speaking South America for the first time as pontiff yesterday, stressing the importance of protecting the needy and the environment from exploitation and – in a nation whose president was booed as his vehicle followed the papal motorcade – to foster dialogue among all sectors of society. The environmental message – from a pope who last month issued a treatise staking the Earth’s preservation as a core mission – is particularly relevant for Ecuador, a Pacific nation that is home to one of the world’s most species-diverse ecosystems but is also an OPEC country heavily dependent on oil. High crude prices allowed Mr Correa to lift 1.3 million people out of poverty in his eight years in office…Read More (PDF)
